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Not One Penny in New Debt for Obamacare

By DREW RYUN

January 02, 2014

There has been much acrimony and infighting within the Republican Party of late. But in the coming year, there are many upcoming battles that should be able to unite the party, most prominently, the effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act, more commonly known as Obamacare.

Republicans agree that Obamacare must be repealed and replaced with policies that eliminate the burdensome interventions that drive up the cost of healthcare. And as the national debt continues to soar over $17 trillion, there must be an immediate push to reduce the size of government. That means there is no better opportunity to unite in the fight against both Obamacare and the growing national debt than with the upcoming debt-ceiling deadline in February.

Conservatives will have two key advantages in the fight over the debt ceiling that were missing during October’s budget showdown. First, the messaging over the debt ceiling is much simpler: Everyone understands that as a country we are accruing an irresponsible level of debt. It is more than reasonable to assert that we not raise the debt ceiling until we have a plan to stop this endless spiral. What better way to reduce spending than by cutting funding for the most unpopular entitlement program?

Moreover, unlike during the budget showdown, when conservatives were trying to jumpstart a national debate over Obamacare after the issue remained dormant during the presidential election, the law’s botched rollout is now front and center in the minds of all voters. While millions are losing coverage, Obamacare is more unpopular than ever, with 62 percent of Americans disapproving of the law.

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and others have recently expressed their desire to repeal Obamacare. But McConnell also said he cannot imagine passing a clean debt-ceiling increase. Well, now is the time to actually use our last remaining leverage to harness the national disquiet against this damaging law. McConnell holds the power to make it happen.

As we approach the debt ceiling fight next month, American workers will be treated to the unpleasant surprise of smaller paychecks as skyrocketing health insurance premiums take a larger bite out of payroll. Health-care spending already represents the largest portion of our budget, and Obamacare is projected to add trillions more to the tab.

Republicans should promise not one penny in new debt until Obamacare is repealed or completely defunded. There is no way to balance the budget without repealing Obamacare. And there is no way to force a balanced budget other than by refusing to raise the debt ceiling until that goal is met.

Drew Ryun is political director of the Madison Project PAC run by former Rep. Jim Ryun (R-Kan.). Madison Project supports national conservative candidates.